Nba

Brooklyn Nets' Joe Johnson, center, drives through Milwaukee Bucks' O.J. Mayo, left, and Khris Middleton during the second half of an NBA basketball game at the Barclays Center Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, in New York. The Nets defeated the Bucks 104-93.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW YORK (AP) — Shaun Livingston scored 20 points, Mirza Teletovic came off the bench to add 19 and the Brooklyn Nets rebounded from an embarrassing Christmas Day performance by ending their four-game losing streak with a 104-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.

Paul Pierce added 13 points for the Nets, who lost by 17 points in each of their two previous games.

The Nets led by as many 23 points in the fourth quarter after Reggie Evans' free-throw made it 87-64. The Bucks went on a 24-10 run to get within 97-88 with 2:24 remaining after Antetokounmpo scored five straight points.

But after Milwaukee called a timeout, Teletovic hit his third 3-pointer of the quarter to put the Nets ahead 100-88 with 2:03 left and Brooklyn closed it out from the free throw line.

Kidd used his 13th different starting lineup this season, going with a smaller unit in the team's third game without All-Star center Brook Lopez, who is out for the season with a fractured right foot.

Livingston started at the 2 guard and Pierce made his second start in his last nine games at forward. Kevin Garnett started at center and Teletovic, who had started in place off Lopez in the last three games, went back to his customary reserve role and Alan Anderson also went to the bench.

Brooklyn got going early in the first quarter and by the end of the period led 31-18, shooting 12 for 29 from the field. Deron Williams scored nine points. The Bucks shot just 7 for 24 and 15 for 48 in the first half and the Nets took a 48-37 lead into the intermission.

NOTES: Brooklyn has beaten the Bucks four straight times since sweeping their four-game set in 2007-08.

Follow Us

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.